QR codes are a fantastic way to create an engaging lesson for your classroom. The possibilities are endless with QR codes, there are many different things that you can incorporate into them to design your own intriguing class activity.
Creating QR Codes To create a QR code, you can use either a computer (recommended) or you can use safari on the iPad. There are many different sites that you can create your codes on, however some are better than others as they include more options and are easier to use. The site that we recommend is www.qrstuff.com as it is very general and includes many options to create your QR codes. The home page of the site displays all the different "data types" that you can incorporate into your code. The most common include: blank text, youtube videos, social media sites, website URLs, dropbox, and many more.
1) Select the "data type" that you wish to include in your QR code 2) Depending on the data type selected, enter your URL or plain text in step 2 called "content" 3) Next, you can choose what color you want your QR code to be 4) Lastly, select your "output type" whether you want to download, email, or print your QR code
The steps towards creating a QR code
Scanning a QR Code Again, there are several apps that you can download on your device to scan your newly created codes. Go to the App Store and in the search bar type "QR codes". We recommend the application called "QR code reader" as we have used it throughout the year in the classroom with no problems. As soon as the app is downloaded, simply scan the code you wish to see, and it will redirect you to whatever is embedded in it.
A large selection of applications to choose from
Classroom Example In attempt to make learning multi-step equations for a grade nine math classroom a little more interesting, I created an activity with QR codes. I put ten sheets of paper around the school, each with a multi-step equations and a QR code. Each of the students started at a specific equation, and after they had finished solving it, they scanned the QR code which told them where their next equation was hidden. After solving all ten equations, the students came back and we had a competition as to who had gotten the most right. The following is an example of one of the sheets:
All About QR Codes
QR codes are a fantastic way to create an engaging lesson for your classroom. The possibilities are endless with QR codes, there are many different things that you can incorporate into them to design your own intriguing class activity.
Creating QR Codes
To create a QR code, you can use either a computer (recommended) or you can use safari on the iPad. There are many different sites that you can create your codes on, however some are better than others as they include more options and are easier to use. The site that we recommend is www.qrstuff.com as it is very general and includes many options to create your QR codes. The home page of the site displays all the different "data types" that you can incorporate into your code. The most common include: blank text, youtube videos, social media sites, website URLs, dropbox, and many more.
1) Select the "data type" that you wish to include in your QR code
2) Depending on the data type selected, enter your URL or plain text in step 2 called "content"
3) Next, you can choose what color you want your QR code to be
4) Lastly, select your "output type" whether you want to download, email, or print your QR code
Again, there are several apps that you can download on your device to scan your newly created codes. Go to the App Store and in the search bar type "QR codes". We recommend the application called "QR code reader" as we have used it throughout the year in the classroom with no problems. As soon as the app is downloaded, simply scan the code you wish to see, and it will redirect you to whatever is embedded in it.
Classroom Example
In attempt to make learning multi-step equations for a grade nine math classroom a little more interesting, I created an activity with QR codes. I put ten sheets of paper around the school, each with a multi-step equations and a QR code. Each of the students started at a specific equation, and after they had finished solving it, they scanned the QR code which told them where their next equation was hidden. After solving all ten equations, the students came back and we had a competition as to who had gotten the most right. The following is an example of one of the sheets: